Region's growers wrapping up a fickle farm season

NEW PALTZ — The unusual weather this year resulted in a bounty for some Ulster farmers and bupkis for others.

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By Michael Novinson

recordonline.com

By Michael Novinson

Posted Sep. 23, 2012 at 2:00 AM

By Michael Novinson

Posted Sep. 23, 2012 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

NEW PALTZ — The unusual weather this year resulted in a bounty for some Ulster farmers and bupkis for others.

The warm, dry summer — broken up by bursts of precipitation or chilliness — was a boon for Maple Ridge Gardens in Ulster Park. "We've had one of the best years on record," said Maple Ridge Gardens farmer Phil Mommsen.

Warm nights enabled the tomatoes and lettuce to grow extraordinarily large, said farmer Martin Maendel. And an irrigation system allowed his 12-acre farm to weather the dry conditions.

Sultry weather kept the chickens and turkeys at Gippert's Farm in Saugerties very active. "They don't like the cold and damp," said Dawn Bruecknar.

But for some other growers gathered at the Ulster County Fairgrounds for the Hudson Valley Harvest Festival, 2012 has been a bust. The nearly snow-free winter and warm March resulted in apple trees at

Wright's Farm in Gardiner blooming nearly two weeks earlier than normal. Trees were in full bloom by mid-April, when overnight temperatures dipped to 18 degrees. The freeze destroyed half of their crop."We're pretty much licking the wounds," said Mackenzie Boylan of Wright's.

Two spring hailstorms and bursts of heavy rain damaged lots of corn and vegetables at Gill's Farm in Hurley. The wet weather overturned squash and ripped lettuce leaves in half.

"We've seen good stuff and we've seen hurricanes like last year," said Samuel Tafolla.

Farms also have to deal with more than just weather. The Hudson Valley Lab in Highland — a Cornell University research farm — has also had to contend, since 2010, with the brown marmorated stinkbug.

The invasive species poses an enormous challenge to researchers, said Cornell Cooperative Extension educator Jose Colon.